Maternal Mental Health

Harris County Public Health’s Maternal Mental Health Services (MMH) aim to help individuals and their families across the fertility spectrum navigate the emotional challenges that may present in the perinatal period. Our team of behavioral health professionals connect families to services that enhance their mental and emotional well-being to bring about holistic healing through comprehensive mental health services available to the entire family.

Who Do We Serve?

We serve birthing persons and their families. We offer behavioral health support for women across the fertility spectrum: from those trying to become pregnant until up to one (1) year after birth. The MMH Program offers mental/emotional therapeutic support that respects and understands the diverse cultural backgrounds in our community.

Services Offered:

Mental health home visitation by licensed clinicians and case management professionals for the individual and immediate household
Individual and family therapeutic services
Personalized assistance and referrals to community-based mental health support
Referrals and access to additional mental health treatment providers

Contact Information:

Phone: 832-927-1335

Email: [email protected]

What Are PMADS?

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a spectrum of mental and emotional disorders affecting families during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Bipolar (I/II)

Bipolar Disorder is a mental condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings from depression (low moods) to mania (extremely high moods). These mood episodes can cause difficulties in energy, behavior, sleep and thinking.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are mental disorders that cause excessive worry, fear, and dread that interferes with daily life. Anxiety can cause difficulties in thinking, behavior, and manifest as physical problems such as difficulty breathing, sweating, stomach aches or chest pains.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression can affect how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to difficulties doing normal day-to-day activities. If left untreated, depression can develop into feelings as if life isn't worth living.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions. These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions get in the way of daily activities and cause a lot of distress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. This may look like flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a mental health emergency. This condition affects a person’s sense of reality, causing them to see, hear or smell things that are not truly there. This condition is characterized by extreme behavioral changes and loss of reality.

Without appropriate intervention, poor maternal mental health can have long-term effects on the mother, child, and family. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends a total of three mental health screenings during the perinatal period, yet fewer than 20% of birthers report being screened.

Additional PMADS Statistics

Of those who received diagnoses for these mental health conditions, 75% never received treatment.
Mental health is the #1 pregnancy-related morbidity, identified as the cause of 1 in 4 maternal deaths.
About 10% of new dads also experience depression and mood or anxiety problems.

We aim to address the social, emotional and mental barriers some households face in the sensitive time period during and after pregnancy.

Additional Resources

If you are someone you know is in a mental health crisis, please call 911 or text 988. The Harris Center Crisis Line is also available for those in crisis and needing immediate counseling at 713-970-7000.